The ‘ghost town’ of Elkhorn east of Boulder has been abuzz with activity this summer as volunteers and contracted help strive to stabilize a 127-year-old railway water tank. Earlier this summer, the Monitor shared photos with readers as the tank was dismantled.
The conical roof was taken down. Heavy metal bands were removed from around the tank after a temporary frame was placed inside to assure that the large vertical planks on the exterior did not collapse before they could be carefully removed.
In the past couple of weeks, project supporters have been working hard to get the tank rebuilt in a way they hope will preserve it for tourists, students, railroad lovers and others, perhaps for another 127 years. Instrumental in the rebuilding process have been three generations of the Marks family of Clancy.
Friends of the Elkhorn Water Tank formed in 2012 to begin saving the historic tank. It was listing badly, and an engineering report found “the potential for stabilizing and restoring the tank in a state of arrested decay is high if action is taken soon to stabilize the structure to prevent total collapse.” Temporary support beams were added to brace the tower until more permanent action could be taken.
